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Division of Ornithology The staff of the Division includes experts in bird taxonomy, distribution, morphology, natural history, and conservation. One of the principal tasks also is curatorial work with bird collections. Division of Ornithology as a separate unit of the Museum was established in 1932, and the position of its curator was introduced one year later. An outstanding Russian ornithologist, G.P. Dementiev, was the first to take that position and retained in it up to 1947. Subsequently, the Division was headed by N.A. Gladkov during 1947-1954, A.M. Sudilovskaya in 1954-1975, and P.S. Tomkovich since 1977 till now. Prof. Dementiev retained scientific supervising of the Division in the 1960s, and Prof. V.E. Flint replaced him in that position since 1976. Ornithological collections of the Museum include almost 150,000 specimens and take the 2nd position in Russia (after Zoological Institute in St. Petersburg) and approximately 15th position in the World. The birds are numerous, diverse (about 10,000 species), inhabit most landscapes on the Earth, and the bird watching gives true delight to many specialists, amateurs and general public. Birds are probably best studied animals basically due to efforts of millions of non-professional ornithologists of the World united in many local, national and international societies and unions. History of ornithology was and still is inseparably linked with gathering and studying collections of birds and to a lesser degree of their eggs and nests. Many professional ornithologists, as well as travelers and amateur collectors, have been dealing with that fascinating passion. Due to their efforts, a number of ornithological collections has been growing permanently. Division of Ornithology is situated on the 2nd floor (office No. 47) of the Museum building along Nikitskaya Str. behind the Upper Exhibition Hall. A part of its collections is also deposited on the gallery of that Hall. The office phone is (7-495) 629-44-74. |
